No wonder Polly Booth felt like she was going round in a circle on her fundraising challenge.
That’s because she was, walking 110 miles over six days around the Cheshire Ring, a circuit of historic canals.
The route from Manchester to Marple, Northwich and Warrington, was all in a good cause.
Polly has raised more than £2,000 for East Cheshire Hospice which cared for her mum Linda.
Polly Booth with her mum Linda.
Linda, from Alderley Edge, died of bowel cancer last November, less than a week after her 70th birthday. She was looked after by the charity’s Hospice @Home team.
Polly said: “Mum was diagnosed in December 2020 and we struggled to get some health care services because of the knock-on effect of Covid.
“Her decline was rapid with her needs changing all the time, so getting care was quite hard and stressful.
“She wanted to stay at home and the women at the Hospice were just amazing. They came out to her every day for the last three weeks. They were there when we needed them most.
“That’s why I wanted to raise money for the Hospice to say thank you and to help other people benefit from their service.
“Our family will forever be indebted to the Hospice for their dignified care and even emotional support.”
Linda was a primary school teacher before she went on to teach children in care in non-mainstream schools for most of her career.
Polly and Linda Booth, who was cared for by Hospice @Home.
The Cheshire Ring takes in six canals – Macclesfield, Bridgewater, Trent and Mersey, Rochdale, Peak Forest and Ashton.
Polly, a project manager with the Environment Agency, said: “The walk was long and challenging, especially as I’m not used to hiking, but I wanted to do something quite hard.
“It was very peaceful, but I could barely walk for the last couple of days because of blisters and achy feet.
“The canal ring is 97 miles, but I covered 110 in total, including going to accommodation each night.
“Six days of walking along canal tow paths was a bit boring and samey after a while, though Marple Aquaduct was beautiful and I enjoyed visiting Anderson Boat Lift, near Northwich.
“I’m proud I completed this challenge for my lovely mum.”
* To donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/cheshireringwalk
Back to all newsThank you so much for choosing to support East Cheshire Hospice. You may never know how much your gift means, but we know that it will make the world of difference to our patients and their families.
